Edna “Ernestine” Rojas July 21, 1929 - May 17, 2025

Edna “Ernestine” Rojas
July 21, 1929 – May 17, 2025

Edna Ernestine (Newton) Rojas was born in Provo, Arkansas to Elbert and Lena (Hess) Newton. Her mother passed when she was four years of age. At 12 years of age, after her father passed, she moved to Texas to live with an older sister and her husband. The family later moved to the bay area in California before Ernestine moved to Turlock, to live with different sister and husband.
In 1947, she married Michael David Rojas, who had recently returned from service in the 2nd World War. Together they built a life centered around faith, family, and service. They exemplified the “Baby Boomer” generation, living the American dream as their family grew to include eleven children.
A devout reader, she had joined the book-of-the-month club at the age of 12 and remained active in the club well into her 70’s.
After their marriage, Mike and Ernestine moved in with her mother-in-law, who only spoke Spanish. Ernestine started to learn Spanish, later becoming a Spanish teacher at the high school. She also learned to make tortillas, a family favorite as she would make them most mornings, filling the home with a wonderful smell, a memory cherished by her children. They enjoyed camping and being outdoors with their family.
A lifelong learner, Ernestine received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees while seven months pregnant with her eleventh child—a testament to her determination and love of education. She taught English as a second language at the night school in Turlock while the last of the eleven children was young. She later worked full-time as a teacher for Turlock Unified School District after the last child was older, where she touched many lives through her dedication to her students.
After retiring from teaching in 1996, Ernestine remained active in her favorite hobbies: quilting, knitting, crocheting, and of course reading. She considered herself a history buff and read many volumes of history books. She also volunteered with Emanuel Medical Center and hospice services for 5 years, giving generously of her time and compassion.
She loved to travel and learn about new places, visiting various places in the United States, traveling to Mexico many times, visiting friends in Taiwan, and visiting England and France.
She was preceded in death by her ten older siblings and by her beloved husband, Michael David Rojas, in 2001, who she referred to as her war hero.
Ernestine is survived by her eleven children: Jennifer J. Rose, Jessica L. Hill, Michael D. Rojas Jr., Philip S. Rojas, Loretta Koop, Elizabeth A. Rojas, Martin L. Rojas, Anthony J. Rojas, Lana M. Casey, Burton A. Rojas, and Andrea M. Duroy. She also leaves behind 34 grandchildren, 70 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers a memorial contribution can be made to Covenant Care Hospice, 125 N Broadway #1a, Turlock, CA 95380.
Visitation will be held Thursday, May 22, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Allen Mortuary.
Funeral services will take place Friday, May 23, at 10:00 a.m. at Allen Mortuary, with burial to follow at Turlock Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions can be made to Covenant Care Hospice, 125 N Broadway #1a, Turlock, CA 95380.